3-hydroxy-4-alkyloxyphenyl aliphatic carboxylates

ABSTRACT

Novel 3-hydroxy-4-alkyloxyphenyl aliphatic carboxylate compounds particularly well suited as sweeteners in foodstuff.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 566,637 filed 12/29/83 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a novel group of compounds and more particular to a novel group of compounds particularly well suited as sweeteners in edible foodstuff.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Sweetness is one of the primary taste cravings of both animals and humans. Thus, the utilization of sweetening agents in foods in order to satisfy this sensory desire is well established.

Naturally occurring carbohydrate sweeteners such as sucrose, are still the most widely used sweetening agents. While these naturally occurring carbohydrates, i.e., sugars, generally fulfill the requirements of sweet taste, the abundant usage thereof does not occur without deleterious consequence, e.g., high caloric intake and nutritional imbalance. In fact, oftentimes the level of these sweeteners required in foodstuffs is far greater than the level of the sweetener that is desired for economic, dietic or other functional consideration.

In an attempt to eliminate the disadvantages concomitant with natural sweeteners, considerable research and expense have been devoted to the production of artificial sweeteners, such as for example, saccharin, cyclamate, dihydrochalcone, aspartame, etc. While some of these artificial sweeteners satisfy the requirements of sweet taste without caloric input, and have met with considerable commercial success, they are not, however, without their own inherent disadvantages. For example, many of these artificial sweeteners have the disadvantages of high cost, as well as delay in the perception of the sweet taste, persistent lingering of the sweet taste, and a very objectionable bitter, metallic aftertaste when used in food products.

Since it is believed that many disadvantages of artificial sweeteners, particularly aftertaste, is a function of the concentration of the sweetener, it has been previously suggested that these effects could be reduced or eliminated by combining artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, with other ingredients or natural sugars, such as sorbitol, dextrose, maltose etc. These combined products, however, have not been entirely satisfactory either. Some U.S. Patents which disclose sweetener mixtures include for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,228,198; 4,158,068; 4,154,862; 3,717,477.

Also much work has continued in an attempt to develop and identify compounds that have a sweet taste. For example, in Yamato, et al., Chemical Structure and Sweet Taste Of Isocoumarin and Related Compounds, Chemical Pharmaceutical Bulletin, Vol. 23, p. 3101-3105 (1975) and in Yamato et al. Chemical Structure and Sweet Taste Of Isocoumarins and Related Compound, Chemical Senses And Flavor, Vol. 4 No. 1, p. 35-47(1979) a variety of sweet structures are described. For example, 3-Hydroxy-4-methoxybenzyl phenyl ether is described as having a faint sweet taste.

Despite the past efforts in this area, research continues. Accordingly, it is desired to find a compound that provides a sweet taste when added to foodstuff or one which can reduce the level of sweetener normally employed and thus eliminate or greatly diminish a number of disadvantages associated with prior art sweeteners.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to a composition having a structure selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## wherein:

R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl; and

R₁ is an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbyl group containing not more than 12 carbon atoms with the proviso that the cycloaliphatic group contain not more than 7 carbon atoms in the ring. In particular R₁ is alkyl excluding the specific structures of methyl and tertiary butyl, alkylene, alkadiene, cycloalkyl excluding the specific structure of 1-methylcyclopropyl, cycloalkylene or cycloalkyadiene; the total number of carbon atoms in R₁ being not greater than 12, the total number of ring carbon atoms in said cycloalkyl, cycloalkylene and cycloalkyadiene being not greater than 7; and salts thereof.

Preferably, R₁ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR2##

each R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR3##

wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5, p is an integer form 0 to 2, q is an integer from 0 to 2 and the sum of p and q is equal to or less than 3;

each R₁₂ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR4##

wherein q' is an integer from 1 to 4, r is an integer from 0 to 2, s is an integer from 0 to 2 and the sum of r and s is equal to or less than 2;

each R₁₀ is selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃, CH₂ CH₃, CH₂ CH₂ CH₃, and CH(CH₃)₂ ;

each R₂ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR5##

each R₁₄ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR6##

wherein t is an integer from 1 to 3, u is an integer from 0 to 1, v is an integer from 0 to 1 and the sum of u and v is equal to or less than 1;

each R₁₅ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR7##

wherein w is an integer from 1 to 3, x is an integer from 0 to 1, y is an integer from 0 to 1 and the sum x plus y is equal to or less than 1;

each R₁₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃ and CH₂ CH₃ ;

each R₃ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR8##

each R₄ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR9##

each R₅ is selected from the group consisting of H and CH₃ with a proviso that R₁ contain no more than 12 carbon atoms and with the proviso that when R₁ is ##STR10## then R₂ can not both be H.

Most of the compounds of the formula and, in particular, the preferrred compounds described hereinabove are sweeteners, the sweetness of which is many times that of comparable amounts of sucrose. The sweetness of compounds of the formula can be readily determined by a simple test procedure described herein.

Several compounds of the formula when tested for sweetness showed little, if any, sweetness to sucrose, whereas most compounds have greater sweetness than sucrose, e.g., 100-300 times greater. Compounds in which R₁ is methyl, tertiary butyl or 1-methylcyclopropyl show no sweetness and are not within the purview of this invention. In general, the sweetener compound should possess a sweetness at least five times greater and preferably at least thirty times and more preferably 100 times greater than sucrose on comparable weight basis.

These compounds in addition to having sweet taste, function as a low calorie sweetening agent when employed with a foodstuff.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, the novel compounds are selected from the group consisting of; ##STR11##

wherein:

R is selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl and propyl;

R₁ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR12##

each R₁₁ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR13##

wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5, p is an integer from 0 to 2, q is an integer from: 0 to 2 and the sun of p and q is equal to or less than 3;

each R₁₂ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR14##

wherein q' is an integer from 1 to 4, r is an integer from 0 to 2, s is an integer from 0 to 2 and the sum of r and s is equal to or less than 2;

each R₁₀ is selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃, CH₂ CH₃, CH₂ CH₂ CH₃, and CH(CH₃)₂ ;

each R₂ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR15##

each R₁₄ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR16##

wherein t is an integer form 1 to 3, u is an integer from 0 to 1, v is an integer from: 0 to 1 and the sum of u and v is equal to or less than 1;

each R₁₅ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR17##

wherein t is an integer form 1 to 3, u is an integer from 0 to 1, v is an integer from: 0 to 1 and the sum of u and v is equal to or less than 1; ##STR18##

wherein w is an integer from 1 to 3, x is an integer from 0 to 1, y is an integer from 0 to 1 and the sum x plus y is equal to or less than 1;

each R₁₃ is selected from the group consisting of H, CH₃ and CH₂ CH₃ ;

each R₃ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR19##

each R₄ is selected from the group consisting of ##STR20##

each R₅ is selected from the group consisting of H and CH₃ with the provision that R₁ contain no more than 12 carbon atoms and with the proviso that when R₁ is ##STR21## then R₂ can not both be H and salts thereof.

Preferably R₁ will contain no more than 10 carbon atoms and more preferably will contain no more than 8 carbon atoms.

Illustrative compounds within the above formula include:

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl propanoate

3-hydroxy-4-ethoxyphenyl propanoate

3-hydroxy-4-propoxyphenyl butanoate

3-hydroxy-4-ethoxyphenyl butanoate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl butanoate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-methylpropanoate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-ethylbutanoate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 3,3-dimethylbutanoate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclopropanecarboxylate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-methylcyclopropanecarboxylate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclobutanecarboxylate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclopentanecarboxylate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclohexanecarboxylate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cycloheptanecarboxylate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclopentylacetate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-norbornanecarboxylate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 5-norbornene-2-carboxylate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 3-methyl-2-butenoate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-cyclopentenylacetate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 1-cyclopentenylcarboxylate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-methylbutanoate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cis-2-methyl-2-butenoate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-propyl-2-pentanoate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 4-pentenoate

3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 3-cyclohexenyl-1-carboxylate

These novel compounds are effective sweetness agents when used alone or in combination with other sweeteners in foodstuffs. For example, other natural and/or artificial sweeteners which may be used with the novel compounds of the present invention include sucrose, fructose, corn syrup solids, dextrose, xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, acetosulfam, thaumatin, invert sugar, saccharin, cyclamate, dihydrochalcone, aspartame (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) and other dipeptides, glycyrrhizin and stevioside and the like.

Typical foodstuffs, including pharmaceutical preparations, in which the sweetness agents of the present invention may be used are, for example, beverages including soft drinks, carbonated beverages, ready to mix beverages and the like, infused foods (e.g. vegetables or fruits), sauces, condiments, salad dressings, juices, syrups, desserts, including puddings, gelatin and frozen desserts, like ice creams, sherbets and icings, confections, toothpaste, mouthwash, chewing gum, intermediate moisture foods (e.g. dog food) and the like.

In order to achieve the effects of the present invention, the compounds described herein are generally added to the food product at a level which is effective to perceive sweetness in the food stuff and suitably is in an amount in the range of from about 0.001 to 2% by weight based on the consumed product. Greater amounts are operable but not practical. Preferred amounts are in the range of from about 0.002 to about 1% of the foodstuff. Generally, the sweetening effect provided by the present compound is experienced over a wide pH range, e.g. 2 to 10 preferably 3 to 7 and in buffered and unbuffered formulations.

It is preferred then when the compounds are used in the foodstuff that the compounds have a sucrose equivalent of at least 2 percent by weight, more preferably that they have a sucrose equivalent of at least 5 percent by weight and most preferrably they have a sucrose equivalent of at least 8 percent by weight.

A test procedure for determination of sweetness merely involves the determination of sucrose equivalency.

Sucrose equivalency for sweetness is readily determined. For example, the amount of a sweetener that is equivalent to 10 weight percent aqueous sucrose can be determined by having a panel of tasters taste the solution of a sweetener and match its sweetness to the standard solution of sucrose. Obviously, sucrose equivalents for other than 10 weight percent are determined by matching the appropriate sucrose solutions.

It is desired that when the sweetening agent of this invention is employed in combination with another sweetener the sweetness equivalent of the other sweetener is equal to or above about 2 percent sucrose equivalent. Preferably the combination of sweeteners provides a sucrose equivalent in the range of from about 3 weight percent to about 25 weight percent and most preferably 4 weight percent to about 15 weight percent.

In order to prepare the compounds of the present invention an esterification reaction is employed. A 3-benzyloxy-4-R-oxyphenol is esterified with an acid form or acid chloride form of the R₁ moiety (e.g. R₁ CO₂ H or R₁ COCl). This provides a 3-benzyloxy-4-R-oxyphenyl R_(1-carboxylate). The 3-benzyloxy moiety is subsequently converted to the desired 3-hydroxy-4-R-oxyphenyl R₁ -carboxylate.

For example, when R is methyl then 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol is used for the esterification reaction. To obtain 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol, isovanillin which is also known 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde is used as a starting material. Isovanillin is a commercially available material. If R is to be other than methoxy then the appropriate 4-alkoxy compound is used as the starting material. The 4-alkoxy compound is made by alkylation of 3, 4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde which is commercially available. Isovanillin is converted to 3 benzyloxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde which is then converted to 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl formate by the following reactions.

Performic acid is prepared by first heating a mixture of 30% by weight hydrogen peroxide and 97% by weight formic acid in a weight ratio of 1:5 to 60° C. and then cooling the mixture in an ice bath. The mixture is then added dropwise over a three hour period to an ice-cold 1 M solution of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxybenzaldehyde in methylene chloride. After the addition is completed a saturated solution of sodium bisulfite is added dropwise until the mixture exhibits a negative starch-iodide test for peroxides. The reaction mixture is poured into an equal volume of water. The phases separate and the aqueous phase is extracted with two parts of methylene chloride per part of aqueous phase. The combined organic phases are washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent is evaporated. The 3-benzyl-oxy-4-methoxyphenyl formate is recrystallized from 95% by weight ethanol.

The 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl formate is then converted to 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol by the following reaction. A mixture of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl formate, methanol and 1M sodium hydroxide in a weight ratio of 1:6:10 is heated under reflux conditions for one hour, the mixture is allowed to cool and an equal volume of water is added. The solution is washed with ether and acidified to pH 3 with concentrated hydrochloric acid. The resulting mixture is extracted with ether. The combined extracts are washed with water and dried over magnesium sulphate and the solvent is evaporated to yield a tan solid which is 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol.

The 3-benxyloxy-4-methoxyphenol is reacted with the R₁ acid or the R₁ acid chloride according to one of the following reactions. When an R₁ acid chloride is to be used, the phenol (1.0 equiv.), triethylamine (1.1 equiv.) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.1 equiv.) are first dissolved in methylene chloride. The desired R₁ acid chloride (1.1 equiv.) is added and the mixture is stirred for 12 hours. The mixture is then washed with 1M hydrochloric acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate and water and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent is evaporated to yield the desired product which may be purified by chromotography if necessary.

If an R₁ acid is to be used then a solution of the phenol (1.0 equiv.) carboxylic acid (1.1 equiv.) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.1 equiv.) in methylene chloride is first stirred at 0° C. Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (1.1 equiv.) is added and the mixture allowed to warm slowly to room temperature overnight. The mixture is filtered to remove dicyclohexylurea. The filtrate is washed with 1M hydrochloric acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate and water and then is dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent is evaporated to yield the desired product which may be purified by chromatography if necessary.

In order to obtain the desired product it is necessary to remove the benzyl protecting group. The benzyl group can be removed by one of two methods. In one method the benzyl protected compound is suspended in 95 percent ethanol and 10 percent palladium on carbon is added. The mixture is placed on a Parr hydrogenator which is then charged with hydrogen to a pressure of approximately 50 lbs. per square inch. Upon the cessation of hydrogen uptake (approximately 2-5 hours) the mixture is filtered through a Celite pad and the solvent evaporated to yield the desired product which may be purified by chromatography if necessary.

In another method of removing the benzyl protecting group a solution of the benzyl protected ester (1 equiv.) in methylene chloride is stirred at room temperature under argon atmosphere. Iodotrimethylsilane (1.3 equiv.) is added and the reaction mixture stirred for 12 hours. The reaction is then quenched with methanol and stirred for thirty minutes. The solvent is then evaporated and the residue dissolved in ether. This solution is washed with 1M hydrochloric acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate and water, dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent is evaporated. The product is purified by column chromatography over silia gel.

Further details are described in McMurry et al. Journal Chemical Society, pages 1491-8 (1960) and Robinson et al. Journal Chemical Society, pages 3163-7 (1931).

The requisite acid ro acid chloride forms of the desired R₁ moiety are either commercially available, known in the art, or prepared from commercially available starting materials by known synthetic procedures.

For example the following is a partial reference list of known and previously synthesized carboxylic acid precursors obtained from Chemical Abstracts Service (Columbus, Ohio), a division of the American Chemical Society.

    ______________________________________                                         Compound              Chemical Abstract #                                      ______________________________________                                         2-Hexenoic Acid-3-Methyl                                                                             35205-70-0                                               Hexanoic Acid, 2, 3, 4-Trimethyl                                                                     35430-56-9                                               Hexanoic Acid, 2, 3, 5-Trimethyl                                                                     35430-57-0                                               3-Butenoic Acid, 2-Vinyl                                                                             13014-75-0                                               Pentanoic Acid, 2, 3-Dimethyl                                                                        13126-98-2                                               5-Hexenoic Acid, 2, 4-Dimethyl                                                                       67279-65-6                                               2-Hexenoic Acid, 4-Methyl                                                                            51724-49-3                                               3-Pentenoic Acid, 2-Ethyl-3-Methyl                                                                   23537-69-1                                               2-Cyclopentene-1-Acetic Acid                                                                         85050-11-9                                               Alpha-2-Propenyl                                                               Butanoic Acid, 2,3,3-Trimethyl                                                                       13332-31-5                                               2-Hexenoic Acid-4-Methylene                                                                          13369-31-8                                               Butanoic Acid, 2,3,3-Trimethyl                                                                       13555-17-4                                               4-Pentenoic Acid, 2-(2-Methylpropyl)                                                                 59726-46-4                                               3-Hexenoic Acid, 2-(-1-Methyl-2-                                                                     59916-25-5                                               Propenyl)                                                                      Cyclopropane Propionic Acid-                                                                         60129-30-8                                               Alpha-Methyl                                                                   2-Propenoic Acid, 3-Cyclopropyl                                                                      60129-33-1                                               Pentanoic Acid, 2-Ethyl-3,4,4 Trimethyl                                                              67731-85-5                                               4-Pentenoic Acid, 2-(2-Propenyl)                                                                     99-67-2                                                  4-Pentenoic Acid, 2-(1-Methyl Propyl)                                                                25015-41-2                                               Acetic Acid, 2-Cyclobuten-1-Ylidene                                                                  25021-03-8                                               2-Propenoic Acid, 3-(2,3-Dipropyl-2-                                                                 60341-38-0                                               Cyclopropen-1-yl)                                                              Cyclopropane Acrylic Acid Beta Methyl                                                                766-68-7                                                 2-Cyclopentene-1-Acetic Acid,                                                                        76337-97-8                                               Alpha Methyl                                                                   2-Propenoic Acid, 3,3-Dicyclopropyl                                                                  37520-24-4                                               2,4-Pentadienoic Acid, 3-Methyl                                                                      14261-34-8                                               ______________________________________                                    

Commercially available carboxylic acid precursors can be found in, Chem. Sources U.S.A., Directories Publishing Co., Inc. Ormond Beach, Fla. as well as Chem. Sources Europe, Chem. Sources Europe Publisher, Mountain Lakes, N.J.

Carboxylic acids, in general, can be prepared by a host of synthetic procedures from other available starting materials. Examples of these methods including specifics and reaction conditions can be found in, Survey of Organic Synthesis, Vols. 1 and 2, C. Buehler & D. Pearson, Wiley Interscience Inc., New York and Advanced Organic Chemistry; Reactions, Mechanisms and Structure, J. March, McGraw-Hill, New York.

In addition to these referenced methods carboxylic acids can be obtained by conversion of other chemical functionalities. A reference for the interconversion of chemical functionalities can be found in, Compendium of Organic Synthetic Methods, Vols. I & II, I. T. Harrison & S. Harrison, Wiley Interscience Inc., New York.

The present new compounds form salts due to the presence of the phenolic hydroxy group. Thus, metal salts can be formed by reaction with alkali such as aqueous ammonia, alkali and alkaline earth metal compounds such as sodium, potassium and calcium oxides, hydroxides, carbonates and bicarbonate. The salts are of higher aqueous solubility than the parent compound and are useful for purification or isolation of the present products.

The following examples are presented to further illustrate this invention.

EXAMPLE I

The compound 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl propanoate was made as follows. An amount of 2.30 gms. of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol, 1.11 gms. of triethylamine and 0.12 gms of 4-dimethylaminopyridine were dissolved in 100 ml. of methylene chloride at 0° C. and stirred. To the mixture was added 1.02 gms. of propionyl chloride and the mixture was stirred overnight. The mixture was then washed with equal volumes of 1M hydrochloric acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate and water. The mixture was then dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent evaporated to yield 1.65 gms. of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl propanoate.

This benzyl protected compound was then deprotected by suspending 2.45 gms. of this compound in 95% by weight ethanol and then adding 10% by weight palladium on carbon. The mixture was placed on a Parr hydrogenator which was then charged with hydrogen gas to a pressure of approximately 50 lbs/in². After 3 hours the hydrogen uptake ceased and the mixture was filtered through a Celite pad. The solvent was evaporated to yield 1.65 gms of 3-hydroxy- 4-methoxyphenyl propanoate. The product was purified by column chromatography. The structure was confirmed employing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods.

Aqueous solutions were prepared with 0.10 and 0.05 weight percent of the product and it was determined by a panel of experts that solutions had a sucrose equivalencies of 4 and 3 gms. wt. % sucrose respectively.

EXAMPLE II

In this example 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl butanoate was prepared substantially as 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl propanoate except that 3.00 gms. of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol where coupled with 1.49 gms. of butyryl chloride. The yield of the desired product was 3.30 gms. and the structure was confirmed employing NMR.

To an aqueous solution was added 0.1 weight percent of this product and a panel of experts determined it to have a sucrose equivalency of 9.0 weight percent sucrose.

EXAMPLE III

In this Example 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-methylpropanoate was prepared substantially as in Example I except that 1.0 gms. of isobutyryl chloride was coupled to 2.00 gms of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol. The compound was purified with column chromatography and its structure confirmed using NMR.

Amounts of 0.1 and 0.05 weight percent of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-methylpropanoate were added to aqueous solutions and the solutions were determined to have a sucrose equivalency of 7 and 5 weight percent sucrose, respectively.

EXAMPLE IV

In this Example 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-ethylbutanoate was prepared by adding 1.62 gms of 2-ethylbutyric acid, 3.00 gms of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxy-phenol and 0.24 gms. 4-dimethylaminopyridine to 50 ml of methylene chloride which was stirred at 0° C. To the mixture was added 2.88 gms. of dicylohexylcarbodiimide and the mixture was allowed to warm slowly to room temperature overnight. The mixture was then filtered to remove dicyclohexylurea and the filtrate was washed with 1M hydrochloric acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate and water. It was then dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaported to yield the phenol protected product. This protected phenol was then suspended in 95% ethanol and 10% palladium on carbon was added. The mixture was placed on a Parr hydrogenator which was then charged with hydrogen to a pressure of about 50lbs/in². Upon the cessation of hydrogen uptake the mixture was filtered and the solvent evaporated wherein 1.67 gms. of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-ethylbutanoate was prepared. The compound was purified using column chromatography and its structure was confirmed using NMR.

To an aqueous solution was added 0.05 weight percent of the purified product and a panel of experts determined it to have a sucrose equivalency of 6 weight percent sucrose.

EXAMPLE V

In this Example 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 3,3-dimethylbutanoate was prepared substantially as in Example I except that 1.8 gms of t-butylacetyl chloride was coupled to 3.0 gms of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol. The product was purified using a silica gel (methylene chloride) and the structure was confirmed employing NMR.

To an aqueous solution was added 0.01% of the above made product and it was determined to have a sucrose equivalency of 3 percent.

EXAMPLE VI

In this Example 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclopropanecarboxylate was prepared as described in Example I except that 3 gms of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol was coupled to 1.3 gms. of cyclopropanecarboxylic acid chloride. The benzyl ester was deprotected using 2 gms of the above ester according to Example I except that the Parr hydrogenator was run at 30 psi. The product was purified and its structure was confirmed by NMR.

To an aqueous solution was added 0.05 weight percent of this product and was determined to have a sucrose equivalency of 3 weight percent sucrose.

EXAMPLE VII

According to this Example, a compound having the structue 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-methylcyclopropanecarboxylate was prepared substantially as in Example IV except the 3 gms of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol was coupled to 1.44 gms of 2-methylcyclopropanecarboxylic acid and the Parr hydrogenator was run at 30 psi rather than 50 psi. The product was purified using chromotography and its structure confirmed by NMR.

To aqueous solutions were added 0.01 and 0.05 weight percent of the above product and a panel of experts determined the solutions to have a sucrose equivalencies of 3 and 6 percent sucrose, respectively.

EXAMPLE VIII

This Example pertains to the making of 3-hydroxy4-methoxyphenyl cyclobutanecarboxylate. This compound was made substantially as in Example IV except that 3 gms of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol and was coupled to 1.43 gms. of cyclobutanecarboxylic acid. The compound was purified and its structure confirmed using NMR.

To an aqueous solution was added 0.03 weight percent of this product and it was determined by a panel of experts to have a sucrose equivalency of 5 weight percent.

EXAMPLE IX

This Example pertains to the preparation of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclopentanecarboxylate. This compound was prepared substantially as in Example IV except that 2.00 gms of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol was coupled to 1.01 gms of cyclopentanecarboxylic acid. The product structure was confirmed using NMR.

To aqueous solutions were added 0.01 and 0.005 weight percent of the product and the solutions were determined by a panel of experts to have a sucrose equivalencies of 6 and 4 weight percent, respectively.

EXAMPLE X

This Example pertains to the making of 3-hydroxy4-methoxyphenyl cyclohexanecarboxylate. This Example was run substantially as Example I except that 3 gms of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol and 2.1 gms. of cyclohexanecarboxylic acid chloride were coupled. This compound was confirmed using NMR data.

To an aqueous solution was added 0.01 weight percent of the product and it was determined by a panel of experts to have a sucrose equivalency of 2.5 weight percent.

EXAMPLE XI

This Example pertains to the preparation of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cycloheptanecarboxylate. This compound was prepared substantially as in Example IV except that 3 gms of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol were coupled to 2.04 gms of cycloheptanecarboxylic acid. The product structure was confirmed using NMR data.

To an aqueous solution was added 0.004 weight percent of the product and it was determined by a panel of experts to have a sucrose equivalency of 2 weight percent.

EXAMPLE XII

This Example pertains to the making of 3-hydroxy4-methoxyphenyl cyclopentylacetate. This compound was prepared substantially as in Example IV except the 3 gms of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol was coupled to 2.04 gms. of cyclopentylacetic acid. To confirm the structure NMR was used.

It was determined by a panel of experts that a 0.01 weight percent solution of this product had a sucrose equivalency of 4 weight percent.

EXAMPLE XIII

This Example pertains to the making of 3-hydroxy4-methoxyphenyl 2-norbornanecarboxylate. This compound was prepared substantially as Example IV except that 3 gms of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol was coupled to 1.8 gms of 5-norbornene-2-carboxylic acid. The product was purified and its structure was confirmed using NMR.

A panel of experts determined that a 0.005 weight percent aqueous solution of this product has a sucrose equivalency of 2 weight percent.

EXAMPLE XIV

This example pertains to the making of 3-hydroxy4-methoxyphenyl 5-norbornene-2-carboxylate. This compound was prepared by adding 3.00 gms. of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol, 1.8 gms. of 5-norbornene-2-carboxylic acid, and 0.24 gms. of 4-dimethylaminopyridine to 50 ml of methylene chloride which was stirred at 0° C. To the mixture was added 2.88 gms. of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and the mixture was allowed to warm slowly to room temperature overnight. The mixture was then filtered to remove dicyclohexylurea and the filtrate was washed with 1M hydrochloric acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate, and water. It was then dried over magnesium sulfate, and evaporated to yield the phenol protected product. This was deprotected by dissolving the product in 50 ml of methylene chloride and adding 1.29 gms. of iodotrimethylsilane. After stirring overnight, the reaction was quenched by adding 5 ml. of methanol. After stirring for 30 minutes, the solvent was evaporated and the residue dissolved in ether. This solution was washed with equal volumes of saturated sodium bicarbonate, 1M hydrochloric acid and water, and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was then evaporated and the residue purified by column chromatography to yield 1.0 gms. of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 5-norbornene-2-carboxylate. The structure was confirmed employing NMR.

To an aqueous solution was added 0.005 weight percent of the product and it was determined by a panel of experts to have a sucrose equivalency of 2 weight percent.

EXAMPLE XV

This example pertains to the making of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate. An amount of 3.0 gms. of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol, 1.45 gms. of triethylamine, and 0.25 gms. of 4-dimethylaminopyridine were dissolved in 100 ml of methylene chloride at 0° C. and stirred. To the mixture was added 1.88 gms. of 3-cyclohexenecarboxylic acid chloride and the mixture was stirred overnight. The mixture was then washed with equal volumes of 1 M hydrochloric acid, saturated sodium bicarbonate, and water. The mixture was then dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent evaporated to yield 4.4 gms. of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl 3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate.

This benzyl protected product was debenzylated by dissolving the product in 50 ml of methylene chloride and adding 1.56 gms. of iodotrimethylsilane. After stirring overnight, the reaction was quenched by adding 5 ml of methanol. After stirring for 30 minutes, the solvent was evaporated and the residue dissolved in ether. This solution was washed with equal volumes of saturated sodium bicarbonate, 1M hydrochloric acid, and water and dried over magnesium sulfate. The solvent was then evaporated and the residue purified by column chromatography to yield 1.0 gms. of a white solid which was 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate. The structure was confirmed employing NMR.

To an aqueous solution was added 0.008 weight percent of this product and it was determined by a panel of experts to have a sucrose equivalency of 4 weight percent.

EXAMPLE XVI

This example pertains to the making of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 3-methyl-2-butenoate. This compound was prepared substantially as in Example XIV except that 3 gms. of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol was coupled to 1.44 gms. of 3,3-dimethylacrylic acid.

A panel of experts determined that 0.005 weight percent and 0.010 weight percent of this product in an aqueous solution had a sucrose equivalency of 3 weight percent and 5 weight percent, respectively.

EXAMPLE XVII

This example pertains to the making of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-cyclopentenylacetate. This compound was prepared substantially as in Example XIV except that 3 gms. of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol was coupled to 1.73 gms. of 2-cyclopentene-1-acetic acid.

A panel of experts determined a 0.005 weight percent and 0.010 weight percent of this product in an aqueous solution to a sucrose equivalency of 3 weight percent and 5 weight percent, respectively.

EXAMPLE XVIII

This example pertains to the making of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 1-cyclopentenecarboxylate. This was prepared substantially as in Example XIV except that 3 gms. of 3-benzyloxy-4-methoxyphenol was coupled to 1.46 gms. of cyclopentene-1-carboxylic acid.

To an aqueous solution was added 0.01 weight percent of this product and a panel of experts determined it to have a sucrose equivalency of 4 weight percent.

EXAMPLE XIX

This example pertains to the making of 4-ethoxy-3-hydroxyphenyl butanoate. This was prepared substantially as in Example I except that 4.5 gms. of -benzyloxy-4-ethoxyphenol was coupled to 1.9 gms. of n-butyryl chloride. To an aqueous solution was added 0.05 wt % of the above made product and it was determined to have a sucrose equivalency of 4%.

EXAMPLE XX

This example pertains to the making of 3-hydroxy-4-propoxyphenyl butanoate. This was prepared substantially as in Example 1 except that 3.0 gms. of 3-benzyloxy-4-propoxyphenol was coupled to 1.27 gms. of n-butyryl chloride. To an aqueous solution was added 0.04 wt % of the above product and it was determined to have a sucrose equivalency of 3.5%.

EXAMPLE XXI

A cherry flavored beverage is prepared by mixing 1.48 gms. of an unsweetened cherry flavored instant beverage base mix with 438 gms. of water, 0.13 gms aspartame (APM) and 0.22 gms. (0.05 weight percent) of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-methylpropanoate. The base contains a malic acid and monocalcium phosphate buffer.

EXAMPLE XXII

A mixed fruit gelatin is prepared by mixing 5.16 gms. of unsweetened gelatin base mix with 237 gms. of water, 0.07 gms. (0.029 weight percent) saccharine and 0.24 gms. (0.10 weight percent) of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl propanoate. The gelatin base contains an adipic acid and disodium phosphate buffer.

EXAMPLE XXIII

A vanilla flavored pudding is prepared by mixing 474 gms. of milk, 21.7 gms. of an unsweetened pudding base mix containing 1.35 gms. of sodium acid pyrophosphate, 36.0 gms. sucrose (6.8 weight percent) and 0.02 gms. (0.005 weight percent) of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclopentanecarboxylate.

EXAMPLE XXIV

A lemon flavored beverage is prepared by mixing 8.1 gms. unsweetened lemon beverage base mix with 875 gms. of water and 0.88 gms. (0.1 weight percent) of 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl butanoate. The lemon mix contains a citric acid, potassium citrate, and tricalcium phosphate buffer. 

What is claimed is
 1. As a sweetener in edible foodstuffs, a compound of the formula: ##STR22## wherein R is methyl, ethyl or propyl; and R₁ is alkyl excluding the specific structures of methyl and tertiary butyl, alkenyl, alkadienyl, cycloalkyl, excluding the specific structure of 1-methylcyclopropyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkadienyl, bicycloalkyl or bicycloalkenyl; the total number of carbon atoms in R₁, being not greater than 12, the total number of ring carbon atoms in said cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, cycloalkadienyl, bicycloalkyl and bicycloalkenyl being not greater than 7; and salts thereof.
 2. A compound according to claim 1 with the proviso that R₁ contain no more than 10 carbon atoms.
 3. A compound according to claim 1, with the proviso that R₁ contain no more than 8 carbon atoms.
 4. A sweetening compound of claim 1 which is 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl propanoate.
 5. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl butanoate.
 6. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-methylpropanoate.
 7. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-ethylbutanoate.
 8. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 3,3-dimethylbutanoate.
 9. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclopropanecarboxylate.
 10. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-methylcyclopropanecarboxylate.
 11. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclobutanecarboxylate.
 12. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclopentanecarboxylate.
 13. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclohexanecarboxylate.
 14. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cycloheptanecarboxylate.
 15. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cyclopentylacetate.
 16. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-norbornanecarboxylate.
 17. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 5-norbornene-2-carboxylate.
 18. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 3-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate.
 19. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 3-methyl-2-butenoate.
 20. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-cyclopentenylacetate.
 21. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 1-cyclopentene-carboxylate.
 22. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-methylbutanoate.
 23. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl cis-2-methyl-2-butenoate.
 24. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 2-propyl-2-pentanoate.
 25. 3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl 4-pentenoate.
 26. 3-hydroxy-4-ethoxyphenyl butanoate.
 27. 3-hydroxy-4-propoxyphenyl butanoate. 